There is disclosed a process for producing an optically active hemiester of formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 represent the same meanings as described below, which comprises reacting a cyclic acid anhydride of formula (2): wherein R1 and R2 are different and independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group optionally substituted with an alkoxy group or a halogen atom, and the like, with a hydroxy compound of formula (3): wherein R3 represents an alkyl group optionally substituted with an alkoxy group, a phenoxy group, a dialkylamino group or a halogen atom and the like, in the presence of an asymmetric catalyst. |